FORMER Vice President Jejomar Binay left for Taiwan on Monday after being allowed by the Sandiganbayan to travel abroad even as he faces multiple graft charges.

Armed with a travel authorization from the anti-graft court’s 3rd Division, Binay, together with former Vice President Teofisto Guingona, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, and former Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) board member Jose Tanso left for Taipeh for a Wednesday speaking engagement.

Tanso said they were invited by the Prospect Foundation of Taiwan to be the keynote speakers as Taiwan celebrates its national day on October 10 to October 12.

Binay will be the morning speaker on October 11 while Guingona will deliver his speech in the evening of the same date.

Yasay, meanwhile, will deliver an inspirational talk the following day, Tanso said. He added that the trip will help improve the relations of the Philippines with its neighboring countries like Taiwan.

After his Taipeh visit, Binay will proceed to the former British crown colony of Hong Kong for a brief vacation. He will return to the country on October 17.

Binay is facing four graft cases, one count of malversation of public funds and nine counts of falsification for the alleged anomalous construction of Makati City Hall parking building.

Author: Benjie VergaraA veteran reporter covering the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. He is currently writing for Manila Times, the Philippines' oldest newspaper.